Flow control fitting



Original Filed Aug. 9. 1922 INVENTOR e ak fl 'jar r BY MqZw kfasATTORNEYS Patented Mar. 13, 1934 ITED STATES FLOW CONTROL FITTING JosephBijur, New York, N. Y., assignor to Auto Research Corporation, acorporation of Delaware Original application August 9, 1922, Serial No.580,668. Divided and application June 5, 1928, Serial No. 282,958, nowPatent No. 1,732,828, dated October 22, 1929. Divided and thisapplication September 395,258

13 Claims.

My present invention relates primarily to chassis lubrication and ismore especially concerned with fiow control devices of the general typedisclosed in my issued Patent No. 1,632,772 of June 14, 1927, and knownas drip plugs, the fiow rating of which is not subject to fortuitousvariation.

It is an object of the invention to provide a drip plug of the abovetype of compacttconstruction which is not easily tampered with, but maybe conveniently taken apart and put together when desired in the courseof manufacture.

Another object is to provide a fitting of the above type, which permitsof easily assembling, cleaning or clearing the restriction withoutinterference by the valve.

Another object is to provide a fitting of the said type which permits oftesting the valve for tightness Without interference from therestriction element.

Another object is to avoid the need for rejecting the entire fittingwhere only the valve or only the restriction is found defective duringthe process of manufacture and inspection.

The objects of the invention are accomplished by forming the drip plugof two coacting separable fitting parts, one of which embodies the flowcontrolling restriction. Preferably, one of the fitting parts has anipple end adapted to be applied to the bearing, with the outer portionof which fitting part, the coacting inlet fitting part has a plug andsocket connection, and to which the feed pipe extremity is connected.The restriction may be a filler of metal or other hard material, withina corresponding bore longitudinally of one of the fitting parts,producing a high resistance crevice of length and cross-sectiondetermining a definite rate of flow with oil of a given viscosity, undera given propulsive pressure.

This application is a division of my copending application Serial No.282,958, filed June 5th, 1928, which has matured into Patent No.1,732,828 granted October 22, 1929, said application being in turn adivision of my application Serial No. 580,668 filed August 9, 1922.

In the accompanying drawing in which is shown one of various possibleembodiments of the several features of the invention,

Fig. l is a diagrammatic view indicating the application of the fittingto a chassis.

Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional view on a larger scale showing theconstruction of one embodiment of the fitting.

Referring now to the drawing, I have shown diagrammatically the generallayout of the chas- 26, 1929, Serial No.

sis of an automobile having a lubricant supply unit S, illustratively onthe dashboard. The distributing system includes headers c and d, whichcommunicate at their ends with the respective mains m extending thelength of the channel frames and feeding various bearings at or nearwhich the drip plug terminals t are applied. These drip plug terminalsare usually provided in sets for an automobile chassis, a drip plug ofthe proper rating being inserted in a socket in the bearing or attachedin some other lubricant tight manner to the bearing to be lubricated.The rating of the drip plug depends upon the lubricant requirements ofthe bearing. Bridging conduits (not shown) are provided leading tosimilar drip plugs (not shown) at or near the corresponding bearings onother parts of the chassis.

The fitting of Fig. 2 is shown elbow-shaped and comprises a supportelement provided with a transverse socket 11 into which is threaded aninlet fitting or cartridge 12 which illustratively extends at rightangles to the support. The support is formed preferably of square orpolygonal stock whereby the end area of shoulder 13 on the cartridgewill contact one of the fiat sides. The support has a threaded nipple 14for insertion into a bearing, bolt or other part to be lubricated. Thesupport element 10' is shown with a bore 15 of large diameter formounting the disk valve 16 which is preferably of diameter substantiallyas large as the fitting admits of, which in one embodiment is preferablyof diameter no greater than and is provided with a seating portion 17 ofa material which should be yielding to compensate for irregularities inthe seat, smooth to seat completely under light pressure, substantiallyimpervious and chemically inert to oil and non-sticking. Among thematerials that answer these requirements are horsehide, smooth finishedshark skin, smooth cork, a rubber compound vulcanized to withstand oil,one satisfactory commercial form of which is known as Hippohide, orvarnished cambric mounted on a yielding backing of felt, fibre board orthe like, and preferably provided with a seating surface of tin foil toprevent the possibility of sticking at the valve seat. A spring 18'coiled at its inner end about a lug 19 on the valve urges the latteragainst its downwardly facing seat 20, said spring reacting against aperforated plate or polygonal washer 21 held in place in the lower endof the support by a split ring 22'. r

In the present embodiment, the flow restriction is disposed in thecartridge fitting. It is illustratively shown as a metallic fillercomprising a restriction pin 23' within a corresponding longitudinalbore 24 in the cartridge element. The bore 24 is preferably about indiameter and about ya" long and the wire plug 23' in the neighborhood of.002 smaller in diameter, leaving a minute restricted annular crevice orpassage about the wire affording a permanent high resistance to flow.

The cross-sectional area of the annular crevice, though minute, can bemade uniform within very fine limits since it is the differentialbetween the cross-section of a bore and a wire plug both of appreciabledimensions and both of which can be easily formed accurately. Greaterdifficulty would be encountered in forming accurately a minute apertureto provide the necessary resistance to fiow, and such aperture would,moreover, be more easily clogged by a minute solid particle, than thepreferred annular crevice.

The inlet end of the cartridge 12 preferably has a socket 27 withinwhich isfitted a felt strainer plug 28 the inner end of which fitssnugly therein while the outer end is preferably loose or spaced fromthe wall of the corresponding socket portion 29 of somewhatenlarged-diameter as shown.

The end of the pipe line is connected to the drip plug by a suitablecoupling. Illustratively a flanged collar 30 is soldered to the pipeline and clamped against the end of the fitting by a screw cap 31threaded thereon, an interposed gasket 32 effecting a fiuid tightconnection.

The restriction pin is held against axial displacement by the strainerplug 28' at one end and. the bottom of the socket 11 at the other end.

In operation when the drip plug is subjected to pressure applied to thedistributing system shown in Fig. 1, the valve 16 will open after theoil has been forced through the restricted flow controlling crevicedefined by pin 23 and bore '24 and the oil emits from the fitting slowlydrop by drop its flow rate for a given viscosity and propulsive pressurebeing determined by the clearance-between the pin and its bore. I

The drip plug has a fixed resistance to 110 determined by pin 23, andmaintained invariant by the strainer plug 28' which intercepts any solidparticles that might clog the minute crevice or become seated at thevalve. In use, should a fitting be found to fiow too freely or tooslowly the restriction fitting part i. e. the pin 23', may be readilyreplaced by one of appropriate rating. The seepage fittings describedmay be initially set for a fixed resistance thereafter non-adjustable.It will be understood, however, that the fittings may be initially setfor different resistances, or may be arranged to be adjusted in use asby providing for varying the effective length of wire plug in thefitting bore.

The illustrated embodiment of the invention presents a compact fittingin which the length even of the mounting nipple 14, that is insertedinto the bearing, serves to accommodate some of V the fiow controllingparts of the drip plug in this instance, the valve and its seatingspring. Moreover the elbow shape of the drip plug provides aconstruction protruding but little from the bearing structure to whichit is applied, and when used on an automobile is less likely to beknocked off than if the constituent fitting parts of a similar dripplugwere axially aligned. The elbow form-moreover presents the advantagethat the inlet nipple extends in the general direction in which the feedpipe isordinarily disposed so that the length of the latter need not bebent at a sharp angle for application of the coupling.

The drip plug is readily installed at the bearings as. a completepreassembled unit. Each bearing when equipped with a drip plug ofappropriate rating will receive an accurately predetermined proportionof the output fed from a common source of lubricant and pressure, andthis substantially regardless of the viscosity or fluidity of thelubricant. Each drip plug will respond promptly to the application ofpressure to the feed pipeline, and the valve thereof will close promptlyto arrest flow or leak upon the discontinuance 'of operating pressure.

In installing the drip plug or removing it from a bearingit isthepolygonal stem or base section which is naturally grasped so thatthere is no likelihood in such operation of inadvertently disassemblingthe drip plug, and deliberate separation of the fitting elements withthe ordinary tools available to :an inexpert layman is difiicult. Themanufacturer however can readily separate these parts and put themtogether again when desired, in the course of :manufacture.

The two-part arrangement of drip plug facilities manufactureandpermitsofcleaning or clearing the restriction in its distinct fittingpartprior to assembly with tl ie-other fitting par t, both ends of therestriction being at. that time exposed, to permit ejection of chips.The valve also may be tested--for-tightn ess in its distinctfittingelement without interference from the restriction. Bythisarrangement the losses due to rejections are reduced to the utmost,because a :defect in one element does not involve rejection of the otherelement. a

I claim:

1. A drip plug comprising a support fitting having a nipple-adapted tobe applied to a bearing, a valve in said support fitting having part ofthe structure thereof extending into a corresponding bore in saidnipple, and an inlet fittinghaving a plugand socket connection with theouter part of said support fitting, said inlet fitting having an annularfiow restriction passage-therein.

2. A drip plug construction comprising a fitting adapted to be threadedinto a bearing andhaving a laterally "extending socket therein-a secondfitting threaded into said'socket and having means at the end thereoffor'application of a feed pipe thereto, a restriction pin in the latterof said members retained by the bottom of said socket, and aspring-seated valve in the first of said members.

'3. A-drip' plug construction comprising a fitting adapted to bethreaded into a bearing and having a laterally extending socket therein,a second fitting threaded into said socket and having means atthe endfor application of a feed pipe thereto, a restriction pin inthe secondfitting retained by the bottom of said socket, a springseated valve inthe first of said fittings, and a strainer 'at' the-inlet of saidsecondfitting to protect the restriction and the valve, and serving as astop for the restriction pin.

4. A drip plug comprising a fitting member adapted to be threaded abearing, said fitting having a valve seat, a valve and a coil springurging said valve against said seat; and a second fitting extending atright angles-to-said first fit ting and having a threaded plug andsocket connection therewith "a loose restriction pin axially of saidsecond fitting bottoming in said first fitting. r

5. A---drip plug comprising a fitting member bio ZOI

adapted to be threaded into a bearing, said fitting having a valve seat,a valve and a coil spring urging said valve against said seat; and asecond fitting extending at right angles to said first fitting andhaving a threaded plug and socket connection therewith, a looserestriction pin axially of said second fitting bottoming in said firstfitting and a strainer member in the inlet thereof.

6. A drip plug comprising a fitting member adapted to be threaded into abearing, said fitting having a valve seat, a valve and a coil springurging said valve against said seat; a second fitting extending at rightangles to said first fitting, having a threaded plug and socketconnection therewith, a loose restriction pin axially thereof bottomingin said first fitting and a strainer member in the inlet thereof, theinlet end of said second fitting being threaded to en able attachment ofa compression coupling connection for a pipe end.

7. In a central lubricating installation for a mechanism having aplurality of spaced bearings to be lubricated, said system being oi" thetype including a central reservoir, a central pump receiving lubricantfrom said reservoir, a branched conduit system with an inlet receivinglubricant from said pump and with a plurality of outlets, one to eachbearing, each outlet containing a drip plug terminal unit, said unitspro-portioning the lubricant among the bearings in accordance with theirdiverse requirements; each drip plug having a metal body with inlet andoutlet openings respectively connected to the conduit system and to thebearing, a valve chamber and a bore passing from said inlet to saidoutlet opening and through said valve chamber, metering restrictionmeans in said bore, said valve chamber being provided at one sidethereof with a valve seat and being also provided with a flat flexiblevalve having a seating facing including a metal foil of smoothness toseat completely under light pressure, softness to conform to the valveseat under seating pressure, and being substantially impervious andchemically inert to oil and non-sticking, and so constructed andarranged within said terminal as to be resiliently urged against saidseat.

8. In a central lubricating installation for a mechanism having aplurality of spaced bearings to be lubricated, said system being of thetype including a central reservoir, a central pump receiving lubricantfrom said reservoir, a branched conduit system with an inlet receivinglubricant from said pump and with a plurality of outlets, one to eachbearing, each outlet containing a drip plug terminal unit, said unitsproportioning the lubricant among the bearings in accordance with theirdiverse requirements; each drip plug having a metal body with inlet andoutlet openings respectively connected to the conduit system and to thebearing, a valve chamber and a bore passing from said inlet to saidoutlet opening and through said valve chamber, metering restrictionmeans in said bore, said valve chamber being provided at one sidethereof with a valve seat and being also provided with a flat flexiblevalve having a seating facing including tin foil of smoothness to seatcompletely under light pressure, softness to conform to the valve seatunder seating pressure, and being substantially impervious andchemically inert to oil and non-sticking, and so constructed andarranged within said terminal as to be resiliently urged l against saidseat.

9. In a central lubricating installation for a mechanism having aplurality of spaced bearings to be lubricated, said system being of thetype including a central reservoir, a central pump receiving lubricantfrom said reservoir, a branched conduit system with an inlet receivinglubricant from said pump and with a plurality of outlets, one to eachbearing, each outlet containing a drip plug terminal unit, said unitspro-portioning the lubricant among the bearings in accordance with theirdiverse requirements; each drip plug having a metal body with inlet andoutlet openings respectively connected vto the conduit system and to thebearing, a valve chamber and a bore passing from said inlet to saidoutlet opening and through said valve chamber, metering restrictionmeans in said bore, said valve chamber being provided at one sidethereof with a valve seat and being also provided with a flat flexiblevalve having a seating facing including an animal skin of smoothness toseat completely under light pressure, softness to conform to the valveseat under seating pressure, and being substantially impervious andchemically inert to oil and non-sticking, and. so constructed andarranged within said terminal as to be resiliently urged against saidseat.

10. In a central lubricating installation for a mechanism having aplurality of spaced bearings to be lubricated, said system being of thetype including a central reservoir, a central pump receiving lubricantfrom said reservoir, a branched conduit system with an inlet receivinglubricant from said pump and with a plurality of outlets, one to eachbearing, each outlet containing a drip plug terminal unit, said unitsproportioning the lubricant among the hearings in accordance with theirdiverse requirements; each drip plug having a metal body with inlet andoutlet openings respectively connected to the conduit system and to thebearing, a valve chamber and a bore passing from said inlet to saidoutlet opening and through said valve chamber, metering restrictionmeans in said bore, said valve chamber being provided at one sidethereof with a valve seat and being also provided with a fiat flexiblevalve having a seating facing including smooth finished shark skin ofsmoothness to seat completely under light pressure, softness to conformto the valve seat under seating pressure, and being substantiallyimpervious and chemically inert to oil and non-sticking, and soconstructed and arranged within said terminal resiliently urged againstsaid seat.

11. In a central lubricating installation for a mechanism having aplurality of spaced bearings to be lubricated, said system being of thetype including a central reservoir, a central pump receiving lubricantfrom said reservoir, a branched conduit system with an inlet receivinglubricant from said pump and with a plurality of outlets, one to eachbearing, each outlet containing a drip plug terminal unit, said unitsproportioning the lubricant among the bearings in accordance with theirdiverse requirements; each drip plug having a metal body with inlet andoutlet openings respectively connected to the conduit system and to thebearing, a valve chamber and a bore passing from said inlet to saidoutlet opening and through said valve chamber, metering restrictionmeans in said bore, said valve chamber being provided at one sidethereof with a valve seat and being also provided with a fiat flexiblevalve having a seating facing including cork of smoothness to seatcompletely under light pressure, softnessto conform to the valve seatunder seating pressure, and .being substantially impervious andchemically inert to oil and non-sticking, and so constructed andarranged within said terminal as to be resiliently urged againstsaidlseat.

12. A, drip plug having a longitudinal .lbore therein, ,a rigid pinloosely filling said bore-With a minute clearance offering ahighresistance to flow, a strainer in a corresponding. socket at the inletend of said fitting, a check valve arrangement at the other end ofsaidfitting, said plug and valve arrangement also serving as stops toprevent the loose restriction pin from moving out of place, said fittingbeing of two partnzonstruction and adapted to disassembly between saidstrainer and valve arrangement for removal and replacement of said'pin.

the bearing and serving for application of a feed pipe thereto, saiddrip plug having a restriction passage therethrough. of lengthconsiderably greater than its width, and a resiliently seated valvehaving adiameter which is a large fraction of that of said fittingpiece, said valve having yielding non-sticking. seating facing, saidarrangement being provided with an enlarged chamber receiving lubricantfrom said passage and feeding it to said valve.

JOSEPH BIJ UR.

